Five to Follow - 22 August
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
Crocetti
Crocetti extended his winning streak to 3 when claiming the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka on Saturday. After jumping cleanly, Warren Kennedy made his intentions very clear that he wanted to lead, where they were then allowed to dictate as they pleased in front. Strongly backed from $2.50 into $1.40, Crocetti performed exactly how the market expected, with the 3YO Zacinto gelding clearing out from his rivals with considerable ease. The 2000 Guineas looks well and truly on his radar, with the Danny Walker and Arron Tata trained galloper now an equal $4.00 favourite for the Group One in November.
FIRST UP FOLLOW
Ladies Man
Ladies Man was first-up over 1200m on Saturday at New Plymouth, having his first run since finishing 3rd in the Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup in March. Despite being well short of this talented stayer’s best, Ladies Man had the audacity to run the fastest closing 800m, 600m and 400m in this 1200m contest. He looks to have come back in great order and will be a force to be reckoned with once he gets over further.
SECTIONAL SPECIAL
Mininjagirl
The Lee Callaway trained and ridden Mininjagirl went a much better race than the 9th beaten 5.3L reads on paper. After getting a long way back in the run, Myninjagirl balanced up late and recorded the fastest closing 600m, 400m, and 200m of the meeting. This run was a great guide to how Mininjagirl is ticking along, she could one to keep an eye on at her next start.
FLASHING LIGHT
Not Ideal
Complete forgive and forget run for Not Ideal from Ruakaka on Saturday. In a race that developed into a sit-sprint, Not Ideal was an eye-catcher late, where he ran the fastest closing 200m of the meeting in 11.16s with 62kg on his back. He hasn’t turned in a bad performance this preparation, I expect him to be competitive wherever he lines up next.
GAP JOB
My Explosive
My Explosive cleared maiden ranks in emphatic fashion at Oamaru on Friday. The Steven Woodsford trained 4YO mare sat outside the leader throughout, putting her rivals to the sword turning for home and scorching away for a 6L victory. This was My Explosive’s first run in the south for her new connections, she looks to have more than enough ability to go on with it this preparation.
